Men's Mountain Clothing on Clearance

Ski trousers: insulated or shell

The ski trousers are first judged by their membrane and insulation. Fluffy models, like those from Protest, a Dutch brand from the sliding world, are suitable for downhill skiing in cold weather, with snow gaiters at the bottom of the legs and reinforcements at the ankles against edges. The shell trousers, like the Helly Hansen Sogn Shell, do not contain insulation: they are layered over thermal leggings, making them more versatile in spring and for ski touring. Water resistance is measured in millimetres of water column: from ten thousand upwards, the trousers can withstand a day of wet snow.

Other clearance items

The winter sports clearance also includes:

• Women's Clothing.
• Gloves.
• Glasses, ski masks, and glacier glasses.
• Accessories, hats, neck gaiters, and socks.

All clearance items are gathered on the winter sports page.

Down jacket or synthetic insulation

A down jacket, like the Rab Mythic or the La Sportiva Lumina, offers the best balance between warmth and weight: it compresses in the bottom of a bag and re-fluffs in a few minutes, ideal for breaks, evenings in a refuge, and windy summits. Its weak point remains moisture, which flattens the down. The synthetic insulation of the Patagonia Nano Puff, made with PrimaLoft, or the Rab Cirrus Flex, on the other hand, maintains its loft under wet snow or in sweat: it can be worn on the way up, under a jacket. Rab, founded in 1981 in Sheffield by climber Rab Carrington, built its reputation on expedition down.

The waterproof jacket, barrier against the wind

The waterproof jacket forms the outer layer: it stops snow, rain and especially the wind, whose cooling effect adds to the temperature. Non-insulated mountain jackets, like the Rab Firewall, the Dynafit Transalper, or the adidas Terrex Xperior, are layered over a fleece or a light down jacket depending on the effort. A breathable membrane releases steam during ascent, and zipped vents under the arms ventilate without removing the jacket. For the slopes, check for the presence of a hood compatible with a helmet, adjustable cuffs, and an accessible pocket for the lift pass.

Fleece, base layer, and ski socks

Under the jacket, the mid layer retains warm air: the zipped hooded fleece Karpos Ambrizzola, from the Italian mountain brand, is worn alone in fine weather while hiking and under the jacket when the wind picks up. In contact with the skin, a technical t-shirt made of synthetic or merino, like the Dynafit Transalper, wicks away sweat, unlike cotton which stays damp and cools you down. For the feet, just one pair of ski socks is enough: X-Socks, from Switzerland, and Falke, from Germany, protect the shins from the pressure of the boot, with thinner zones elsewhere to maintain sensitivity.

Frequently asked questions

What clothing for cross country skiing?

Cross country skiing makes you sweat much more than downhill skiing: you wear thin, close-fitting and breathable clothes, like a Nordic suit. A light windproof jacket is enough on top, with the down jacket only used when stopping.

How to choose the right size ski trousers?

You take your usual size while checking the length: the bottom should cover the ski boot without dragging on the ground. An adjustable waistband or removable suspenders adjust the size, and you should be able to bend your knee without discomfort with a layer underneath.

How to wash a down jacket?

In the machine, at thirty degrees on a gentle cycle, with a special down detergent and no fabric softener. Drying in the tumble dryer on a low heat, with a few dryer balls, breaks up the clumps of feathers and restores the loft to the jacket.

How to reactivate the waterproofing of a ski jacket?

When water no longer beads, wash the jacket with a technical product, then apply a water repellent spray or use in the washing machine. A tumble dry on low heat, if the label allows, reactivates the water-repellent treatment of the outer layer.

One-piece suit or jacket and trousers for skiing?

A one-piece suit prevents any entry of snow at the waist and is popular among powder skiers. The jacket and trousers set remains more practical for everyday use: you can take off the jacket at the mountaintop restaurant and each piece can be worn separately.